Haiku — 0042: Innocence

Summary

The web content reflects on the concept of innocence through a personal narrative of the author's first Facebook post, the evolution of understanding with age, and the contrasting views of innocence as a driver for growth versus a guise for willful ignorance.

Abstract

The article titled "Haiku — 0042: Innocence" delves into the author's nostalgic recollection of their first Facebook post in 2011, which similarly touched on the theme of innocence. The author acknowledges the cringe-worthy nature of their teenage musings but emphasizes the enduring message of innocence's duality. The piece contrasts the enriching curiosity of youth with the stagnant "innocence" of those who shun external perspectives, often encountered in smaller communities. The author critiques the notion of "ignorance is bliss" when it's used to justify a lack of exposure to diverse ideas, especially among older individuals. Despite the discomfort caused by such attitudes, the author values the growth that comes from learning, error, and the fuel of innocent curiosity.

Opinions

The author views their past social media posts with a sense of embarrassment but recognizes the core message about innocence remains relevant.
Innocent curiosity is seen as a positive force, propelling personal growth and learning.
There is a critique of the attitude among some, particularly in smaller towns and villages, who equate preserving their "benign" worldview with wisdom and innocence.
The author is skeptical of those who use innocence as an excuse for ignorance, finding such attitudes not only dishonest but also potentially harmful.
The author expresses a preference for shielding children from the nonsensical adult interpretation of innocence as ignorance.
There is a clear distinction made between the beneficial innocence of children and the detrimental innocence claimed by some adults as a shield against new ideas.

Oh, that childish naivete.

Back in 2011, when I created my first (now defunct) Facebook account, my first ever “post”, was replete with the screaming vibe of a teenager. Funnily enough, that was also about innocence and had the same theme as the Haiku today.

Image generated with DALL-E.

A childish musing,

Curious, or ignorant,

The innocent one.

That now-deleted post was my “best wordplay” of innocence and in-no-sense…..

I still cringe about it at times.

But that does not necessarily take away the central message, which is still valid. The so-called duality of innocence.

And the often (ab-)used idea of “ignorance is bliss”.

One of the biggest pleasures of growing up is the opportunity to expand our knowledge by learning new things, meeting new people, traveling, making mistakes, and recovering from them. Here, I would think innocent curiosity is the greatest fuel, the driver of growth.

However, let me pose a counterview. One which I observe a lot around me, especially out of smaller towns and villages — The personalities described by the phrase “frog in the well”. And the excuse for ignorance is, funnily enough, innocence. This has been consistent with many conversations I got to hold with those around their 50s. That their wisdom is true and astute because they preserved their “benign” worldview by not tainting it with “outside thoughts”.

I swear, I would laugh if this was a dishonest response.

However, people believe it. Sometimes, to such frightening lengths that I would much rather cut them off rather than try and reason.

The other so-called “innocence”.

Keep the kids out of this nonsense, please.

Yesterday’s Haiku —

For the rest of my Haiku, please follow —

Haiku — 0042: Innocence

Oh, that childish naivete.

Haiku — 0041: Ruin

Of civilizations gone.

Haiku By Day

A collection of my Haiku experiments